Get involved!

For more opportunities, see the Volunteer Center Web site, www.volunteerinfo.net.

You can make a difference and help the community in which you live and work. The Volunteer Center has hundreds of opportunities; listed here is a sampling. Call the Center's Agency/School Volunteer Program at (847) 228-1320 or if your are age 55 or older, call Retired Senior Volunteer Program at (847) 228-1006. The code at the end of each item is used to match volunteers with agencies; have the code ready when you call.

Blood drive

bull; Welcome donors at the Great Lakes blood drive in North Chicago, manage the refreshment area and observe for adverse reactions. Age 18 older #1978

Child care

bull; Engage in activities with special needs children and their siblings while parents attend a program/networking group from 6:30-9 p.m. the first Friday of each month. Age 14 older #2053

bull; Provide child care services at area safe house while moms attend support groups, counseling sessions or other appointments. Interact with children through tutoring, crafts, playground area or enjoy a meal with them. 40 hours of training required. Age 18 older #1757

Children's activities

bull; Rock or feed babies, play games, read stories, enrich teacher's planned activities at child care and early learning center for infants to kindergarten. 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Age 55 older #1669

Clerical/office

bull; Assist elementary school district office with community mailings, occasional filing, typing and phone calls. Help is needed two days a week for approximately three hours each day. Age 55 older #1486

Computer/data entry

bull; Computer literate volunteers to teach basic computer classes to individuals. Must be bilingual (English/Spanish). Prepare your own lesson plans for class of 12 on Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. Computer aids also needed. Call for details. Age 18 older #1819

Disaster relief

bull; Join the Mass Care Response team and respond to disasters by providing shelter operations, mass feeding and bulk distribution of supplies. Four to eight hours per month required. Training provided. Community disaster responders also needed. Age 21 older #518

Youth center

bull; Teen center volunteers for area drop-in center, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday- Friday. Assist staff with supervision, encouragement and support. Flexible schedule, training provided. Commitment of four months required. Age 17 older #798

Food pantry

bull; Drivers needed to deliver bags or boxes of groceries to HIV/AIDS patients from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturdays two times a month. Each driver would deliver to three to five clients. Routes are mapped out to conserve fuel and time. Many suburban routes. Age 21 older #1930

Fundraising

bull; Social service agency is looking for help to plan fundraisers, golf outing, dinner dance/auction. Activities include securing auction items, sponsorships, decorating and committee leadership. Age 18 older #1180

bull; Assist with mailings, auction/raffle item solicitation, and day of event staffing. Events benefit people with developmental disabilities. Age 18 older #284

Homeless

bull; Help the homeless by planning a clothing and gift certificate drive. We are looking for men's and women's underwear, socks and jeans (all sizes), toiletries and gift certificates to any type of fast food restaurant or discount store. Age 10 older #1783

Library

bull; Organize and maintain a small library and resource center at hospital's day care center. You will also read stories to children under the supervision of a day care teacher. Librarian experience and good organizational skills needed. Age 55 older #2044

Literacy

bull; Share your knowledge of the English language and your ability to read with foreign- or American-born adults two mornings, afternoons or evenings a week or on Saturday mornings. Program runs about 10 weeks. Next training will be Jan. 5, 8, and 26. Age 18 older #97

bull; Help lead a beginners English class, 9-11 a.m., Mondays and Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. Must speak fluent English, no degree required, on the job training. Age 20 older #1247

Maintenance

bull; Assist the staff in pulling out and putting away equipment prior to and after all Special Olympics events throughout the year. Age 16 older #1484

bull; Organization serving individuals with developmental disabilities is in need of qualified plumbers and carpenters to donate time helping with redecorating and special projects between the hours of 10 a.m.-2 p.m., weekdays. Age 21 older #1898

Meals on Wheels

bull; Barrington drivers needed during the noon hours to deliver meals to shut-ins. Weekdays for 1-2 hours. Age 18 older #1270

Nursing homes

bull; Caring and compassionate volunteers to transport senior residents to rehab and appointments within a health care center. Must be able to push a wheelchair, often a distance with a person of considerable size. Weekdays 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m. Age 18 older #1400

One-time events

bull; Chase away the winter blues with fun activities from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Jan. 21. Enjoy the Sunrise Lake Education Center's bowling and brunch at the IHOP, or learn to hula dance and lunch at the Tiki Terrace with special-needs children. Age 14 older #855

bull; Parent's Night Out 6-9 p.m., second Friday of each month in Rolling Meadows. Join the staff in fun activities with special needs children and siblings to give parent's a short break from care giving. Age 14 older #779

Rehabilitative

bull; Recreational aides needed to assist staff group leader with activities for clients in their rehabilitation and recovering from mental illness. Play games, help with lunch, interact with clients, go for walks, etc. On an as-needed basis. Age 18 older #2046

Schools/mentors

bull; Tutors needed for local elementary school children. Meaningful assignments working one-on-one with children under the direction of the teacher. Training provided. Volunteers needed for the school year. Age 55 older #1418

Senior assistance

bull; Join the Caring Caller Club by contacting one-three shut-in seniors daily from your home making sure they are OK. Age 18 older #1679

bull; Affordable housing advocate service agency seeks volunteer to represent housing program to residents and civic leaders. Must be willing to work with housing counselor in the office and in the field. Flexible schedule. Age 30 older #1829

Special needs

bull; Engage in activities with special-needs children and siblings while parents attend a program/networking group from 6:30-9 p.m. the first Friday of the month. Age 14 older #2053

Special skills

bull; Female bilingual volunteer needed to assist an English instructor for pilot program for a Women's One Stop Center. Assist with programs such as literacy, employment skills and support group. Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in Arlington Hts. Age 18 older #749

Telephone hotline

bull; Provide emotional support and information to victims of sexual assault/abuse at hospital emergency rooms and police departments. Attend 40-hour training and commit to a six-hour shift once a week. Age 18 older #1991

Thrift shop

bull; Research unusual or collectible items online for area resale shop to be sold in special collectibles boutique or on eBay. Also need a person to wrap and mail items. This job could be lots of fun for the right person. Age 16 older #1259

Transportation

bull; Bus monitors for Headstart pre-school children. Monitors will check student ID, ride buses and assist with getting children on/off for mid-day shift 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., four days a week. Age 55 older #835

bull; Drivers needed to deliver bags or boxes of groceries to HIV/AIDS patients from 9 a.m.-noon twice a month on Saturday. Each driver would deliver to three to five clients. Routes are mapped out for time and fuel efficiency. Many suburban routes. Age 21 older #1930

Tutoring

bull; Be a reading instructor, Monday-Friday, flexible days and times at an agency serving disabled adults. Commitment of six months. Age 18 older #191

Youth mentoring

bull; Be a leader or team player. The Youth Advocate Program matches adults with young people between the ages of 7-15. The emphasis is on showing young people that they are special. Training provided. Age 21 older #209

Women and children

bull; Donation drive is needed for a transitional shelter for homeless women and their children and for a new domestic violence shelter. Paper products, dish soap, trash bags, household cleaners, baby products, etc. Start collecting now in your community. Age 10 older #1790